Manchester United will look to keep pace with their top four rivals when they face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday.
A tricky test will be in the offing when Manchester United host Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. On the back of a comfortable win over Burnley, they will need to continue the momentum in the next set of games.
Manchester United rounded off their Premier League campaign with a 2-1 win over Fulham as Alejandro Garnacho snatched a last-minute winner at Craven Cottage. There have been significant improvements on the road till now. And Erik ten Hag’s main challenge will be to implement those rectifications with utmost precision.
Several players were involved in the World Cup, and they will be returning to the fold as the season goes forward. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen netted against Burnley earlier this week and are expected to feature for Manchester United against the newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest have gained significant steps in the last few games as wins over Crystal Palace and Liverpool have placed them just one point adrift of the safe zone. They had an entire overhaul this summer bringing in a staggering 21 players. But that has not been reflected in their results.
The Tricky Trees have been entangled in the relegation battle pretty deeply and would need some gigantic display to keep themselves afloat in top-flight football. The last Premier League match featuring Manchester United and Nottingham Forest resulted in an 8-1 defeat for the visitors, and they will definitely like to avoid similar circumstances.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Next up: #PL football returns to Old Trafford! ⚽️🏟#MUFC || #MUNNFO pic.twitter.com/0z5azVpaIv
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 24, 2022
Martin Dubravka appeared in the goal in their Carabao Cup tie against Burnley. But David de Gea will return between the sticks for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will be needing a few days more to get back into shape.
Harry Maguire has been unwell since England crashed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. But the Manchester United captain might get fit in time to take on Nottingham Forest. Victor Lindelof will be his partner. Aaron Wan-Bissaka racked up an assist against Burnley and will have another chance to impress on the right side of the defence. Luke Shaw will be on the other side.
Casemiro will return to the midfield alongside Christian Eriksen, who found the net in the last match. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual number 10 role, while Antony and Marcus Rashford will be joining the attacks from the flanks. Anthony Martial will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Eriksen, Casemiro; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Nottingham Forest
Dean Henderson will not be able to appear against his parent club. So Wayne Hennessey needs to be fit in time to deputise in goal for Nottingham Forest against Manchester United.
Serge Aurier and Morgan Gibbs-White also will be through a late assessment test, while Omar Richards, Giulian Biancone, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Moussa Niakhate will be unavailable for this clash.
Joe Worrall and Willy Boly will have a tough task dealing with the Manchester United attack when they pair up at the heart of the Nottingham Forest defence. Neco Williams and Harry Toffolo will be the two full-backs.
Orel Mangala will be operating from the deepest midfield position, and he will be assisted by Ryan Yates and Jack Colback. Brennan Johnson and former Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard will be running down the flanks, and Taiwo Awoniyi will be the number nine.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Hennessey; Williams, Boly, Worrall, Toffolo; Colback, Mangala, Taha; Johnson, Awoniyi, Lingard
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won their last six meetings with Nottingham Forest in all competitions, with this their first game against them since an 8-1 win at the City Ground in February 1999.
- Nottingham Forest have conceded more Premier League goals against Manchester United than they have against any other opponent (31). 24 of these goals have come in their last five against the Red Devils, having shipped just seven in their first five
- Manchester United have lost just six of their 89 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W68 D15) – against Nottingham Forest (December 1994), Derby County (April 1997), Middlesbrough (December 1998), Bolton Wanderers (October 2001), Norwich City (December 2015) and Cardiff City (May 2019).
- Manchester United have won four of their last five Premier League home games (D1), keeping a clean sheet in the last three. They last went four consecutive home league games without conceding between February-June 2020.
- Manchester United have scored more goals from fast breaks than any other side in the Premier League this season (5). These goals account for 25% of their total so far this term (5/20), also a league-high.
Player to Watch
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has been in ravishing form and maintained his hot streak by scoring against Burnley. The 25-year-old has a point to prove to his doubters, and Erik ten Hag has put his belief in the player to get it going when it matters the most. The Englishman will be eager to continue his hot streak in the Premier League amid speculation surrounding his future.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-0 Nottingham Forest
The pressure to get back into the groove will be there. But the players are professionals and they know how to grind up a win in such conditions. Fatigue won’t play a part, and the home side should have a comfortable evening. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Manchester United.